The car window is open, and the sounds of other passing cars rush through my ears. I smile, closing my eyes taking everything in. Kids are squealing in a nearby park, a dog is barking, and then a plane roars above my head. It’s a beautiful late autumn day—an unusual occurrence this time of year. The sun is shining overhead bringing an out of season warmth to the day.

I am now seventeen and have been for just over a month. Liam and I are in a full-blown relationship, and I have been left to roam free inside the house. In the last six months I have been able to leave the house, but with strict instructions not to gain attention. Liam did a wrong thing and could still be punished. I—of course—don’t want to see that happen. He had protected me over the last two years, so I won’t let him get into trouble because of me.

It sometimes feels strange to me how quickly I have adapted to this way of life. I’m only seventeen and practically married. Liam and I live together, share a bed together, and do almost everything together. When he sees my smile, he smiles. It’s almost as if we bounce off of one another. My moods affect him, and vice-versa. I assume it’s exactly like that when you’re married?

Anyway, each day I get to spend outside I cherish. I still sometimes hate Liam for keeping me locked up for so long, but I understand why he did it. Today would normally be a good day, as it’s Saturday and he’s taking me shopping. What’s not good about it is I’m over a week late for my period and need to buy a pregnancy test. I haven’t told Liam this. I don’t want to unless I have to. To be honest I don’t want a baby. I’m way too young to be a mother. I pictured myself going through school and getting myself a job and a house first before starting a family. A couple of times Liam ran out of condoms and I mentioned the idea of going on the pill. He had said it would be difficult for me to get without mentioning my name and that I would be fine. He would pull out and that would solve the no condom issue. Unfortunately when the time came he didn’t pull out. When I questioned him he had said that it had been too good that he couldn’t help himself.

“How about a new set of pyjamas for the winter? Your old ones need throwing out already.”

I glance over at Liam sitting behind the wheel, his eyes carefully fixed on the road. “That would be nice. Maybe Primani will sell some decent ones.” He starts to chuckle. “What?”

“It makes me laugh when you call it Primani.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I think everyone calls it that.”

He takes a quick look my way before turning back to the road. “I tell you what. We’ll take a look in that new mall off Queen’s Street. I believe there’s a Primani in there.” He winks at me.

I swallow before saying, “I’ll need to go to the chemist for some lady things.”

He scrunches his nose up. “Okay, I’ll probably go look in Top Man, or something while you sort that out.”

My heart starts to calm a little as I smile at him. “I thought you may say that.” I chuckle a little setting him off before carrying on my stare out the window. When I feel a hand wrap around my own, I turn towards Liam who’s smiling.

“You know I love you, right? That I’d do just about anything for you?”

I nod my head with a small smile. “I don’t doubt that.”

Satisfied with my answer, he looks back at the road. “Good. I’m glad you realise that. I would be lost without you.”

“Well, I’m not going anywhere.”

He glances my way before saying, “Promise.”

I laugh again at his childlike vulnerability. “I promise.”Despite the fact I had nowhere else to go, I practically owed Liam my life.

“We’re here,” he sings, pulling into the underground parking lot.

We park up and first port of call is Primark. I get my Hello Kitty PJ’s which I personally think I’ll rock with them on. Liam just shakes his head with an amused smile, but buys me the PJ’s anyway. When we’re at the counter and he’s paying, I say, “I hate that I have to rely on you to buy me things.”

He turns, noticing my sad face and places his hand against my cheek. “I took on the responsibility to take care of you and that will never change. I make great money on my construction business—more than enough to buy you a hundred more of these,” he says, lifting up the PJ’s with a chuckle. “Besides, I love spending money on you.”

“I know,” I reply, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. “I still don’t like it.”

He sighs when he notices he’s not getting anywhere. “Listen, I’ll tell you what. How would you like to work for me? I can give you my office and let you take on some accountancy work, bit by bit. I know you’re good with numbers.”

“Really?” I ask, a huge smile on my face.

Liam laughs, shaking his head. “Yes, really. There’s not much now, but I have a huge project starting the week after next and will need some help then. In fact, the timing’s perfect.”

I squeeze his hand again. “Thank you, Liam. I won’t let you down.”

Lightly grazing his thumb over my cheek, he says, “I know you won’t.”

“Next!” a woman behind the counter bellows.

Later on, we part ways and I head into the local pharmacy with enough money to buy the pregnancy test. I’m nervous as hell as I walk up and down the aisles trying to find where they’re at.

“Can I help you?”

I turn noticing a lady in a white coat. She has a tag that reads, “Melissa Jacobs, Pharmacist.”

I bite my lip wondering if I should say anything. I have to, though. I can’t put this off much longer. “Erm, I’m looking for a …” I stumble on my words a little as I place a strand of hair behind my ear. She smiles at me encouragingly and that’s when I go for it. “A pregnancy test.”

She glances at me and I can tell by the look on her face that she knows I’m very young—too young to be a mother anyway. “Follow me,” she says, smiling. I do so dutifully and we head down the next aisle. Once there, she bends down. “As you can see we have numerous amounts of tests, but they’re all virtually the same and will give the same result. This one has two in them, so you may want to take that just to make sure, but just so you know it very rarely gives a false positive result.” She picks it up, handing it to me.

“Thanks,” I reply. I take a quick peek down at the pregnancy test, but notice that she’s still standing there. She’s frowning like she’s trying to make something out.

When she notices I’m staring back, she says, “I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to stare. It’s just that you look really familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen your face somewhere.”

I frown wondering how that could be when I remember that I was once abducted. My face could have been all over the news because the police are looking for me. The same police that will arrest Liam if they find out.

Purposefully, I look away and laugh nervously. “I kind of get that a lot,” I answer, trying to sway the conversation away.

She smiles, but I can tell she’s not buying it. “Do you want to buy that?” I nod, glad to be finally getting away. “Follow me, then.”

I pay for the test all the while I can feel the pharmacist’s eyes on me. Once I get my change and the receipt, I rush out of the store and bump straight into Liam.

“Whoa, there, tiger. Why the rush?”

He smiles, grabbing my shoulders and when he searches my face, I decide it’s best not to spook him about the lady in the shop. He may want to lock me away again if he finds out.

“I was just eager to come find you, that’s all.”

This pleases Liam greatly. All thoughts that I may be in distress are gone at those very words. “You’re seriously the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Ray.” He takes my hand. “Come, let’s get you home.”

I follow Liam away from the pharmacy, but not before noticing that the pharmacist is still looking in my direction. My heart starts to beat as I clutch onto the bag that holds the pregnancy test.

All the way home, not only is the test burning a hole in my pocket, but the thought of that pharmacist knowing something makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

When I wake the next morning, the sunshine hurts my eyes. I feel achy, but it’s a good ache, which reminds me of my time spent with Easton. After we both wake up, we continue to lie there for a while, simply chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Eventually, I realise I need to text my mum and Brett. I do both, hoping that they won’t ask too many questions. I had to be honest about where I’ve been and where I am. I just hope my mum never finds out who Easton truly is. The only way she will is if she visits the school, and I know there aren’t going to be any times to merit that. Even the teachers have said that I’m an adult now. Parent-teacher meetings are fine for students under sixteen, but not for an adult. There is one coming up shortly, but I have already been told it will only involve me.

When I open my eyes, taking in the sunshine walls, I smile. Easton is silent, so I look across thinking he’s not there when I spot him still asleep. Of course. He’s already told me he’s not a morning person. That fact coupled with the other fact that we wore each other out a further two times last night doesn’t help either.

For a moment, I stay still watching his sleeping frame. He’s lying on his stomach, his face to the side, his long, thick eyelashes kissing the tops of his cheeks. He’s neither smiling nor frowning. Just being. I like that. Just being. Easton and I were “just being” last night.

One hand rests by his side while the other hand sits snugly underneath his head. He looks serene. So serene that for a moment I wonder if he’s still breathing. I’ve never seen someone look so dead when asleep before. I ponder that for a moment. Can you be dead asleep? If so, that is Easton right now.

Coffee is definitely the name of the game. I could sit and stare at Easton all morning, but at some point coffee needs to come first. And before that, a bathroom break. Definitely a bathroom break.

I sneak out of bed, careful not to wake Easton up, but it looks as though I needn’t be careful. He’s unmoving. The only sign that he’s alive is the slight rising of his back as he breathes.

I walk towards the bathroom. The same bathroom I should have walked into last night. In hindsight, I am glad I went wrong. Otherwise, what happened between us may never have happened.

Who am I kidding?

I chuckle slightly as I walk into this bathroom. Straight away you can tell a single man lives here. Everything’s for men. Shower gel for men, deodorant for men, and shaving foam for men.

After relieving myself, I take the journey downstairs completely naked. I’m not one for going bare, but I can see the benefit from it when being in the same house as a hunk. Already I’m needy, my thighs clenching in anticipation of what will happen this morning once Easton wakes up.

I make it into the kitchen and realise then that all the dishes from last night are still discarded in his sink. I go through all his cupboards searching for mugs for the coffee before putting some water in the kettle and putting it on to boil. Once that’s in place, I start to work on the dishes.

I make light work washing one dish, then two, gently humming Love Finds its Own Way by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Lost in my own world until I hear his voice.

“Well, that’s a sight to behold. A woman in the kitchen washing the dishes as naked as the day she was born.”

I smirk, turning to show him my schmexy smile when my eyes land on Easton. Only, it’s not Easton. He certainly looks the same. The same eyes, the same nose, the same endearing sexy smile, but it’s the hair that gives him away. It’s shorter than Easton’s and not so wavy.

It’s his brother.

I scream—or rather squeal—before turning around and trying my best to cover myself. Soap suds that were once all over my hands are now smacked over my breasts and my nether regions as I try my hardest to conceal myself.

“Sorry,” he says, still smirking. “I didn’t think my wee brother had company.” His eyes unashamedly peruse my body.

“Is there any chance you can hand me a towel or something?”

He starts tutting and shaking his head. “Now that would be a terrible tragedy, Miss …”

“Sasha. My name’s Sasha.”

“Miss Sasha.”

He winks at me at the same time that Easton appears obviously wondering what all the commotion is about. He spots his brother before he spots me.

“Grayson, what are you doing here so—” It’s then his eyes turn to me, and he spots my nakedness. “Shit,” he shouts before taking off his shirt and hurriedly walking towards me. Concealing my body, he helps me put his shirt on while Grayson’s just standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I’m sorry,” Easton mouths before turning to his brother.

“What are you doing here?”

He cocks his head to one side before saying, “I thought I would pop by for breakfast. I was hoping for one of your omelettes, but I got an even nicer surprise than that in your kitchen.” He inclines his head towards me, winking again. My face flushes instantly.

Can the earth swallow me up now?

“Grayson,” Easton warns.

Grayson waves him off. “I know, I know.” He looks at me one last time before saying, “When did this happen?”

I hear Easton clear his throat before saying, “We met a while ago, but it’s only really since last night.”

Grayson’s head is pointed towards Easton, but he quirks his eyebrow in my direction. “Last night, eh? You never told me about this? Why?”

I swallow hard as Easton starts making himself busy by putting coffee in the mugs. “We may be twins, but we’re not joined at the hip, Grayson. I don’t have to tell you everything.”

I watch Grayson place a hand on his heart. “I’m crushed.” He then eyes me suspiciously. He knows something’s up. He can feel it. I can feel it.

And this is exactly what Easton and I were frightened of. People finding out. People asking questions. We don’t have to answer to anyone, but in another sense, we have to.

“Excuse me,” I say, clutching Easton’s shirt to me as I start to walk away. With every step I take towards the stairs I can feel Grayson’s eyes on me. I can tell he’s trying to figure me out. Is Easton having a woman stay the night that unbelievable?

When I disappear completely, I hear whispered voices, but I don’t hang around to hear what’s being said. I don’t want to come between Easton and his brother. Family time is precious. I had hoped to stay a couple more hours at least, but I think I need to make my excuses and leave.

I dress hurriedly before climbing down the stairs to retrieve my bag and say goodbye, but what I hear makes my ears prick up.

‘I warned you going there would be dangerous, brother. You should have listened to me.”

“Shh,” I hear Easton hiss. “Listen, I’m not seeking her out or anything. We just seem to somehow—I don’t know—bump into each other all the time.”

“Yeah,” Grayson huffs. “I’m sure that’s a coincidence.”

I close my eyes when I feel the stab of his words. I’m not like that at all, but he doesn’t know that.

“Don’t you fucking dare, Grayson. You might be my brother, but you’re not brother enough for a fucking Glasgow kiss. You hear me?”

“Oh, come on, Easton. Listen to yourself. You trusted Catherine and look where that got you.”

Catherine? Who’s Catherine?

“Catherine was different. I know it.”

I hear Grayson sigh before saying, “Catherine almost made you lose your fucking job. This girl is no different.”

I can’t listen to any more. I come down the stairs, fully aware that I’ll be face to face with them even if I can’t see them anywhere just yet. I feel a breeze and notice that the back door is open. They must be outside in the garden, so they can chat privately. Unfortunately, though, I heard every word.

Sneaking around, I grab my handbag, phone, and shoes before slipping out quickly and quietly. I have no clue who this Catherine is, but something deep inside me says this is trouble. Trouble as in the kind he and I could get into if we are ever found out.

My heart sinks at the thought that he may have done this before with another student. Easton doesn’t seem the type, but that doesn’t mean shit in the grand scheme of things. I thought I had trusted Liam once. Look where that got me?

Cursing myself for being so stupid, I take the walk of shame home, ignoring the calls that I hear once a couple of minutes away from home. If it’s Easton, I don’t really want to talk to him right now.

I get to my block of flats, virtually pulling the doors off its hinges in anger before taking the stairs up to our flat. Tiredness overwhelms me by the time I reach the door. I’m so fully immersed in my own thoughts that I forget that my mother may be home.

She’s not in. But then I didn’t think she would be. Knowing she will be worried, I give her a quick call, telling her that I’m home and that I’m safe. She sounds happy—carefree. Just how I had felt this morning when I had first woken up.

It’s after I’ve had a shower and I’m drying my hair that I hear the doorbell ring. I walk, towel wrapped round me as I look through the peephole. It’s Easton.

Closing my eyes I take a deep breath before answering. He looks fraught and out of breath like he ran here rather than biked it.

He takes one look at the towel wrapped around me and then averts his eyes over my shoulder. “Can I come in? I think we need to talk.”

I sigh, opening the door wider to let him through. He walks in, closing the door behind him before looking around the place. “Your mum not in?” I shake my head and start walking towards my room. I don’t look around to see if he’s following. I already know he’s there.

Once I reach my room, Easton closes the door. I suck in a breath. “Please open the door.”

He sees the panic in my face and immediately complies.

“Closed doors aren’t your thing, huh?”

I shake my head. “Just inside a bedroom.”

He nods, his eyes showing his concern for me. “I see.” He takes a little look around my room before meeting my eyes. “I guess you overheard me and my brother?” I nod. “I didn’t mean for you to find out this way.”

“Who’s Catherine?” I don’t want to beat around the bush. He has a past I wasn’t made aware of. A past—it seems—which is dangerously close to the situation Easton and I have gotten into.

“May I?” he asks, pointing towards my bed. I nod my head, but I remain standing. “Almost three years ago I got myself a teaching job at a local school in Edinburgh. It was a girls' school just like yours. There was this young girl there. Only fourteen at the time. Catherine.” He looks up to meet my eyes when he says this. I’m not sure what he’s going to say next, but I feel sick at the prospect.

“She was like any other student at first. Quiet, courteous, and always handed her homework in on time. Then one day about three months in to working there she asked me to help her with her English homework after school. I agreed to stay behind for half hour to help go through some notes. Everything seemed normal and when we left she went her way and I went mine.” He sighs like the memory still haunts him. “The next day she came in wearing makeup and had her skirt hitched higher than normal. She was all smiles in the lesson and I just thought that maybe she had gotten herself a boyfriend and that was the reason for the makeup and her jovial mood.

“After a couple of days I realised it wasn’t the boyfriend. It was me. She started winking at me, flirting outrageously with me in class and in front of the students. Then came the secret love notes that she would leave for me in my classroom. I told the headmistress what was happening and between us we asked Catherine to stay behind one day so that we could talk to her about how inappropriate her behaviour was. She was embarrassed, but told us that she wouldn’t do it again. I went away thinking that was the end of it.”

Calmer I say, “But it wasn’t?” He shakes his head, looking downtrodden. I immediately sit next to him offering my comfort. I realise now that his situation with this Catherine was nothing like ours.

“The school had a break in, but nothing was taken. The police were called and fingerprints were lifted, but none could be matched to their database. All the teachers thought it strange that someone managed to break in, but despite there being computers and camera equipment there, none of it was taken.” He sighs again, running a hand over his unshaven face. “I started to receive text messages, phone calls at the dead of night with no one on the other end. Then letters started coming through my door. Explicit letters detailing a fictitious sex scene between me and this girl. They were never signed, but I knew it was Catherine. I told her to stop. That I would go to the police, but the letters and phone calls continued.”

“Did you go to the police?”

He nods his head. “I was about to when they showed up at my door claiming that I had sexually assaulted her.”

Gasping, I throw my hand over my mouth. “Oh God, Easton. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

“I explained to them what had been going on and that I believed she was the one responsible for the break in at school. All the letters and phone records were taken. I told them to take everything as long as I could prove my innocence. They asked me where I was when the alleged assault took place and luckily for me I was at an art event in Glasgow. Miles away from where she said it happened. I had witnesses that said I had been there until two in the morning, and hotel bills to prove I stayed there the night.”

I shake my head in disbelief. Silly girl. “What happened next?”

“The school suspended me until further enquiries were made. I was devastated, but I knew this was the normal procedure. No matter what, though, news of what had happened got around and the parents started calling the school, wondering what kind of monster had been teaching their teenage daughters.”

“That sounds awful. I’m so sorry.” I place my hand over his, offering him comfort. Immediately he threads his fingers through mine, still looking down.

“The police looked into everything and obviously found that I was innocent and dropped the investigation into me. Soon after they arrested Catherine and found her prints matched those of the ones the police lifted. They also found her prints all over my personal file at the school. When they dug deeper they found she had done this before. Her parents were dubious, but they didn’t want to disbelieve their daughter.”

“Understandable,” I sigh.

He squeezes my hand slightly. “Of course. Any parent would believe their child if such an accusation was made. They apologised to me, but I told them that they should never have to apologise for believing what their daughter said. I was just glad that it was all cleared up.” He sighs again, closing his eyes. “But, something like that never leaves you. Despite being cleared, I noticed I got strange looks from the parents when they picked their daughters up from school. They would clutch onto them as if I were some sort of predator. All the kids had nothing but great things to say about me, but they still didn’t trust me. A month after that, I handed in my resignation.”

Placing my free hand against his cheek, I pull his face towards mine and kiss him lightly on the lips. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. It sounds like torture.”

“It was,” he agrees.

“What happened to the girl? Catherine.”

“She was arrested and charged with criminal damages for breaking the lock at the school. The school dropped the charges, but expelled her from school. I don’t know what happened afterwards. I left, got myself another teaching job and started my life over again. Luckily it never tainted my record, but being so close to where it happened took its toll. That’s why I opted to try for a teaching position elsewhere. The school told me about this head teacher job, said I was ready and would be perfect for it. I must admit, I had my reservations. I didn’t want to go back to another all-girls school, but here, at least I am head teacher. I’m not actually teaching the girls in a classroom this time.”

I slouch my shoulders a little when I come back to the here and now. I sigh. “No wonder your brother is so worried about you. He’s frightened I’m going to be another Catherine.”

Easton snaps his head to me, nudging at my hand. “You’re nothing like Catherine. In fact, it’s been me pursuing you more than the other way around. You’ve been very adult about the whole thing. This is all on me.”

I shake my head. “No, this is all on us. We’re both adults, and we both made the decision to enter into something that could have dire consequences.” I close my eyes and wonder what the hell to do. “I was so euphoric when I woke up this morning. My only thought was that I hoped to have coffee with you and repeat what happened between us last night.”

Easton’s eyes light up like that thought sounds perfect. “And then Grayson happened.” He rolls those same twinkling eyes. “Perfect timing.”

I nudge his shoulder with my own. “Your brother loves you and is looking out for you. I completely understand why he’s feeling a bit of animosity towards me. He doesn’t know me from Adam. As far as he’s concerned, I could be another Catherine.”

He shakes his head like this angers him. “As I said before, you’re nothing like her.” He squeezes my hand again. “I’m sorry about what happened. I would have told you, but I didn’t realise my brother would turn up and blurt what he said like that for you to hear.”

I graze my finger lightly across his knuckles. “And I’m sorry I ran. A bit childish, I know, but despite what I heard I also knew your brother wouldn’t want me around.”

“That’s not his decision to make.”

I nod my head with a smile. “I know, but I would never want to get in the way of your family. You all must have gone through hell. You most of all, but your family would have been suffering along with you. It must have been troubling times for them too.” With a huge knot in my stomach, I surprise Easton by releasing his hand and standing up. I feel his eyes on me as I tighten the towel that’s still around me and lean my butt against my desk. His eyes are questioning me before I say, “I think we have to stop this before someone finds out.”

Easton rises from the bed and steps towards me. He stops inches away from my body and cups my face in his hands. I close my eyes for a moment, but when I open them his whiskey coloured eyes are boring into mine.

“I can see it in your eyes that you know as well as I do that stopping this is not an option. You want to walk away, then fine. But I’ll be damned if I let you walk away when I know you don’t want to. You’re worth taking the risk. I told you last night that I’m not letting you go.”

I close my eyes again. His words. They’re all I ever wanted to hear, but … and there’s still a but. He’s already had to deal with the shitstorm that came with this Catherine girl. I don’t want him going through all that again. Not for me.

“If you lost your job I would never forgive myself.”

“Shit!” Easton says, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, he pulls his hands away from my face and I instantly feel the loss. I suddenly have this overwhelming desire to curse at the universe for ever letting me fall for a man I cannot have. Right guy, wrong place and time. Easton is the type of man you dream about when you’re little and you daydream about being a fairytale princess with a prince that comes to rescue you. Easton has rescued me. He’s rescued me more than he will ever know. I never thought I would find and trust a man again after Liam, but Easton has not only taught me that not every guy is like Liam, he’s also taught me how to feel real love, real desire, and real passion. How could I ever thank him enough for that?

“I want to tell you that you’re wrong,” he begins. “I want to say that we can sneak around and not tell anyone, that no one will find out. I want to tell you all of this because I’m a selfish man who wants you all to himself. But, at the same time, I don’t want you to feel like my dirty little secret. Under normal circumstances I would want nothing more than to ask you to be mine and tell the world that’s exactly how I feel.” He lifts his eyes up to meet mine and for the first time he looks lost. “I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve found you.”

Biting my lip, I nod my head at first. I feel exhausted by it all. All I want is a normal life. I guess I should be grateful that I have someone like Easton, but I just wish I had met him a year from now.

“I can guarantee you now that you will never lose me, Easton. Not unless you ever betray me in anyway. You have me for as long as we can stand each other.” I smirk, causing him to laugh a little. “It feels like a prison sentence, but I would take that knowing that at the end we could be together. I just know that I would be devastated if you ever got into trouble over me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

Easton nods his head, resigned to the idea that we need to nip this in the bud before it’s too late.

“I best go home,” he says, stepping towards me and taking my hand. Before I even have a chance to realise, he pulls me into his chest for a big hug. I relax instantly, breathing in his musky smell. I feel him kiss my head before stroking my hair. I look up to smile at him, but what I’m met with are those intense eyes. They’re like beacons calling to me. “Bedroom eyes” is the better expression I think. I know he can feel what I feel as pretty soon he’s dipping his head, but hesitantly just in case I pull away. I don’t, though. Quite the opposite.

Standing on tiptoe, I crash my lips against his. All thoughts about my little speech go flying out of my bedroom window. Right now, all I can think about is Easton. Wanting to taste Easton, wanting to breathe him in, wanting him, wanting him, wanting him.

Our kiss deepens and my body responds by automatically pulling him towards my bed. At first Easton complies, but when I try and drag him onto the bed, he stops me. We’re both out of breath when he pulls away.

“As much as I want to do this, I can’t in your mother’s home. It isn’t right. I can’t take advantage of that.”

All that does is make me want him more. Despite feeling that way, I nod my head. I can totally understand that. My mum could come in any moment now, and although my mum’s really cool when it comes to things like this, I respect her too. I wouldn’t want her to catch the Sasha and Easton show as much as I wouldn’t want to catch a show starring my mum and Eric. I even shudder at the thought.

“Are you okay?” Easton asks, laughing a little.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think I just lost my way a moment there. I don’t want my mum to catch us as much as you don’t.”

He shakes his head. “No, that wouldn’t be a good idea.”

We both freeze when we hear the door go. “Speak of the devil,” I say, quickly throwing off the towel and grabbing a pair of sweats and a jumper, placing them on me within seconds. All the while Easton’s staring at me looking both turned on and impressed.

“Sasha, are you home?” She pushes the door in further and stops dead when she spots Easton in my room. “Sorry,” she says with a smile. “I didn’t realise you had company.”

“That’s okay,” Easton replies, looking a little sheepish. “I just wanted to make sure Sasha got home safely. I have my brother over, and although Sasha’s more than welcome to stay with us, she said she didn’t want to interfere with me and my family time.”

My mum smiles proudly at that. “Yes, family is important.”

Easton smiles at my mother before turning to me. “I suppose I better go.”

I nod my agreement. “Yes, you must. I’m sure Grayson’s stomach thinks its throat’s been cut waiting for this famous omelette of yours.”

Easton chuckles, and my mum says, “Omelette. Hmm, sounds wonderful right about now. Do you fancy one, Sasha?”

“Sure. Why not?” I say, laughing as we all head out of my room.

My mum, noticing we need our privacy, says, “I’ll go make myself useful in the kitchen. It was nice seeing you again, Easton. Don’t be a stranger.”

“It was lovely seeing you too, Laura. Have a great Sunday.”

My mum smiles, waves her goodbyes and then disappears into the kitchen. Once I know she’s out of earshot, I say, “This is going to be awkward.”

Easton looks towards the kitchen and says, “It looks like she already thinks we’re a couple.” We both exchange knowing glances. However, no matter what’s said it won’t change the fact that he’s my head teacher, and I’m a student at his school.

Resigned to the fact, Easton sighs before opening the door. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”

My stomach drops at the thought. “Yes. See you next week.” I half smile before saying my goodbyes and regrettably watch as he disappears from sight before closing the front door behind him. I want to run and hide in my room now, but I know my mum will want all the gossip now that she’s seen Easton here.

Resigned to the fact I have no other alternative but to talk, I make my way to the kitchen to find my mum all smiles as she whisks the eggs inside a bowl.

“Sooo,” she says, all long and drawn out. “You’re kind of a thing now, huh?” She winks at me making me laugh, but deep down my heart aches.

“We’re … taking it slow. Well, I’m taking it slow. I don’t want anything interrupting my schooling.”

Mum sets the eggs down before wiping her hands with a cloth. “Shouldn’t I be the one saying that to you?” She chuckles and lays a hand on my shoulder before saying, “I trust you, Sasha.” She turns away, and immediately picks up the eggs again to whisk, but all I feel is guilt. Deep-seated guilt in the pit of my stomach. If she knew who Easton really was, she wouldn’t be saying that.

When did everything become so complicated?

“I know you want to take things slow and I applaud you,” she begins. “But does he make you happy? That’s all I want to know.”

I think about all the times spent with Easton and I’ve felt nothing but happiness. “Yes,” I answer honestly.

She nods her head. The news obviously pleases her. “Then that’s all I need to know.” She gets back to work tending to the omelette.

“So, how did things go with Eric?”

She momentarily stops to turn and smirk at me. “Really well, actually. He wanted to spend the whole day with me, but I didn’t want to miss seeing you, so I came home. You’re my priority at the end of the day. Eric obviously understands that.”

“If you want to spend more time with him, then do so. I won’t mind, Mum. I want you to be happy.”

She smiles, a slight tear in her eye. “I know. I am happy. Having you here and Eric in my life is all I ever need.” She pauses a moment then says, “Hey, now that we’ve both found love at the same time, I guess we’ll both be spending time away from home.” She winks at me and then turns to start frying the omelette. I smile, but the smile drops as soon as she can’t see. I would want nothing more than to spend time with Easton. A whole week without seeing him is going to feel like a life sentence.

How on earth am I going to get through the next seven months?